Drilling fluid agitators are the important auxiliary equipment used in drilling mud system. For all fluids process system in oil and gas, in HDD, in TBM, in the CBM, slurry separation and so on

Drilling fluid agitators summary

It is mainly used to mix or agitate drilling fluid and maintain the prosperity of material in tank. Keep the necessary solids suspending for better process result

Drilling fluid agitators

There are different types of mud agitators. According to the installation way, there are horizontal and vertical type; according to the gear box, there are worm and worm wheel geared and helical bevel geared; according to the connection way, there are direct connection type and the coupled type; according to motor power, there are wide range of types with 0.5kw, 1kw, 1.5kw, 5.5kw, 7.5kw, 11kw, 15kw, 18.5kw, 22kw, and so on

How to install the mud agitators

If we install mud agitators on mud tank, the basic condition is 3 meters per set. Before installing agitator the equipment had been selected according to tank size (height and width). So we just need to install them as the engineer requested

drilling mud agitators

Some agitators supplied without mounting plate, while some are with. This configuration is defined by users' requirement. If there is mounting base, the agitators are easy to fix on mud tank top. Usually, when we replace existing used agitators, we'll suggest such design for easy placing.

Mud agitators available at AIPU

Aipu mud agitators are APMA series. They can be designed with explosion proof motor or common motor. They can be lateral type or vertical type. They can be helical worm and wheel geared or helical bevel geared.

The popular models are APMA7.5, and APMA11. Compared with helical bevel geared agitator, the helical worm and wheel type are more popular since the lower cost.

However, we kindly suggest the helical bevel geared. It requests less power and produce higher torque. Working performance and reliability is much better.

Please feel free to contact Aipu for any drilling fluid agitators. They can be used in drilling mud process, the oil sludge treatment, the slurry separation and so on.

Drilling mud tank agitator is the necessary equipment to mix drilling fluid during oil drilling at oilfield. Mud gun can be used together with agitators as well.

Drilling mud tank agitator dimension

The mud agitator impeller size and power demand can be calculated against tank size confirmation. If we don't know the maximum density of drilling fluid we'd better set 2.4g/cm³ as standard. Then we can get sufficient safe data the complete agitation on any fluids will be achieved without any worries on motor over loading. Most oilfield mud agitators speed is 50-90rpm

The agitator impeller dimension will be calculated via each parts TOR. The TOR unit is "s" that means move all fluid in tank will take how long time. So, the tank volume and impeller discharge we'll get the impeller size

Detail calculation on impeller and power

For example, one drilling fluid is 30ft long, 10ft wide, and 10ft height. The maximum drilling fluid density is about 16lb/gal. If the drilling mud density is not assured we can treat it as 20lb/gal. There are totally 3 even compartment in this tank and all solids have been removed

Drilling mud tank agitator

Any fluid in any tank, the liquid level should be 1 ft lower than tank top. Based on above information we get one compartment volume is about 6732 gallons. Then as per sheet the TOR will be calculated as 64s. Compared with suggested value, the TOR is proper as the solid have been removed. If we need lower value for sooner liquid velocity we can select bigger impeller, if we need slower the smaller one will be ok. But we need re-calculation until get the precise value

According to above reference we know the 38" impeller for 16lb/gal liquid is Ok. But there is no value for 38" impeller then we toward to close one-40". Thus even higher density fluid to be agitated the safe data will work still. Then we select the agitator can be driven by 10hp motor. So, 38" impeller and 10hp are ok for agitator on this tank.

Drilling mud guns

Compared with mud agitator, the mud gun will mix or agitate drilling fluid via the nozzle. Drilling fluid after nozzle will flow at high speed. The pressure and velocity will be usually transferred by centrifugal pump. The mud gun will be almost used on compartment or compartment lower fluids.

So we usually operate mud guns together with mud agitators. They will agitate all drilling fluid more completely and throughly.

Please find more information on Aipu solids control website or contact us freely